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TRANSCRIPT
THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT
“LOYALTY AND STEWARDSHIP”
Dr. Kenneth W. Jones, Sr.
Practical Living Ministry
Scripture: Parable of the Talents
Read Matthew 25:14-30
Parable Review
Jesus compared the parable of the Talent to the Kingdom of
Heaven
This Parable illustrates the manner in which God would deal
with people at his return to judgment.
For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far
country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his
goods.
Point One: Your gift is not your own. God gave it to you
Matthew 25:15: And unto one he gave
five talents, to another two, and to
another one; to every man according to
his several ability; and straightway took
his journey.
Point Two: God gives us abilities and gifts
according to our ability to invest and perform.
He makes the distinctions on how gifts are
distributed.
Ephesians 4:8: “Wherefore he saith, When he
ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and
gave gifts unto men.”
Point of Emphasis
Sometimes we tend to think that we must “give” our talent to the
Lord giving the illusion that it is ours to give in the first place.
All human abilities and skills derive from God and are to be
dedicated to his glory and the good of others.
Just because you can play a piano doesn’t mean that this is what
God has called you to perform
Moses, What is in your Hand?
Exodus 4:2
Exodus 4:2,3 - And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand?
And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on
the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it
God used what Moses had in his hand. Moses was a shepherd
for over 40 years. Now soon he will lead people.
“Cast it to the ground.” Your gift is no good until you deploy it
for service.
Moses fled before it. “Are you running from your responsibility?”
A Time of Accountability
God does take Count – There Will Come a Time of
Accountability
Matthew 25:19
“After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them
to give an account of how they had used his money. (NLT)
Accountability is Not Judging, but Expecting
Leaders Inspect What They Expect
Don’t Bury Your Talent – God expects you to use it
The A’s of Accountability
• The Administering of the Talents
• Attitude of the Servant
• Their Assumption of the Leader
Administering of the Talent
To Every Person According to One’s Ability, Calling, Purpose2nd Timothy 1:9
Sometimes We Forget that We are Called According toGod’s Purpose and Not Ours
Ministry Gifts
The Parable of the Talent
Administering of the Talent: to every man according to his
several ability
God makes “distinctions” among people in regard to abilities and their
attitude to promote the kingdom of God
Talents are not just “natural abilities,” but abilities that God can control
and utilize for His glory
You may be a “talented” singer, but is your gift truly submitted to the
Lord, or do you hold your pastor hostage with it?
The talents are about stewardship. It’s about growing,
developing, and using for God’s glory whatever we’ve been
given by Him before our Lord returns.
Attitude of the Servant
Apathy Complacent
Servanthood
I Was Afraid
The Attitude of the Servant
The Attitude of the Servant – Noted as being “good and
faithful”
This shows that the master looked for goodness and faithfulness in
His servants.
Have an expectation of giving an account - After a long time the
lord of those servants came: The long delay would tempt the
servants to think that they would never give an account for their
management
Characteristics of a Faithful Servant
One who receives his/her task from the Lord Jesus wholeheartedly
One who will be diligent in all that he does (Eccl. 9:10).
One who chooses to please God than to please men (Galatians 1:10)
One who shows up, performs, and encourages other without an agenda
One who does all to the glory of God (1st Corinthians 10:31)
One who demonstrates commitment, competence, and courage
God does not measure success the same way that man measures success.
It is required that the Lord's stewards be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2).
If we always "serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind" (1 Chron. 28:9)
we will be considered a success according to God's way of reckoning.
James 2:24 - You see that a man is justified (pronounced righteous before God)
through what he does and not alone through faith [through works of obedience as
well as by what he believes].
Attitude of the Servant
They had an attitude of “Gain”
not “Get” – Good stewards
seek what they can gain for the
kingdom or the church
The unfaithful servant took the
talent and recognized his gift,
but did not to employ his talent
for his master
Attitude of the Servant
They gave up every thing to their master, without attempting to
appropriate any thing in return
The Master blessed them for their faithfulness: They received praise. Well
done, good and faithful servants (Matthew 25:21)
They received gracious promises. Ye have been faithful over a little, I will
set you over much.
They received Glory. Enter into the joy of your Lord. We should see our
faithfulness from an eternal perspective
Attitude of Worthless Servant
See the ingratitude of this servant towards his gift (or gifting)
See his idleness. Rather than exert himself to improve what he has received,
he goes and hides it.
Hear the absurdity of his reasoning. Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard
(or avaricious) man, reaping where thou hast not sown, etc., (Matthew
25:24).
This very model that sinners in general seek to justify themselves for not
serving God; How awfully deceived and deeply depraved must that
person be, who not only attempts to excuse his sins or lack of commitment,
but to charge his crimes on God himself!
Punishment of the Worthless Servant
He is reproached. Thou wicked
and slothful servant! Wicked - in
thy heart: slothful - in thy work.
He is stripped of what he
possessed
He is punished with an everlasting
separation from God and the
glory of his power. Cast forth the
unprofitable servant,
Attitude Towards the Gift
People’s attitude or vision towards their gift will
determine how they will exercise it
If you don’t see the value of your gift and its
importance with a kingdom mindset then you will
become complacent, apathetic, & unreliable
Attitude Towards Leadership
I Know Just As Much As the Pastor!
They Just Want My Money!
The Leadership Should Do More For the People!
This is as Much as I am Going to Do!
They Need to
Recognize ME More!
I Don’t Have to Be Here!
The Parable of Servant
Their Assumption of the Leader – Your assumptions about
your leader or your value of him/her will determine how you
will use and employ your talents.
I knew you to be a hard man: the unfaithful servant made an
assumption of the master as we do our leaders in the church
Many modern servants of God think that when God gives them
something, it no longer belongs to God; it belongs to them and
they can do with it as they please.
Therefore I feared… Fear immobilizes us to serve
Attitude Towards Leadership
People Rebel When They Begin To Not Value Their
Leadership
“And the people murmured against Moses, saying….” (Exodus
15:24) - Usually begins with Words
Numbers 11:1 - And when the people complained, it
displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger
was kindled; …
There Are Times I May Not Understand or even, “Like” the Way I am Being Led, But I am Committed to Follow.
The Third Servant is Judged
You wicked and lazy servant
He only had “One” Talent to be responsible for but he did not
use it for the Master
The parable of the unprofitable servant illustrated harsh
disapproval for the failure to utilize the talents the master had
committed to his trust.
If the Servant was too afraid to use his talent, then he could
have at least deposited it in the bank. If we don’t want to
serve then at least invest more into the ministry where you are
being fed
Discovering & Exercising Your Gift
1 Corinthians 12:7 - But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
God has given us each a gift, talent, & ability produced by the
Sprit unto profit; that is, for utility, or use; or to be an
advantage to the church; for the common good of all
The purpose of the manifestation of the Spirit is to benefit the
whole church family, not just a particular individual.